Sharing my experiences with food intolerance, fitness-sass and (most importantly) living vibrantly. Brought to you from the San Francisco Bay Area. Helping one more person get to the healthy, happy, passionate, inspired - and - skinny diva they have always wanted to be! Because let's be honest, who doesn't want to be that person?!

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Sunday, March 21, 2010

ps. Since I still adore this Blog, what it stands for and where it lead me....I will not leave it completely. My time will be mostly spent at my new "home," but I'll "vacation" here every now and again:)

Friday, March 19, 2010

I now believe that mine IS worth catching! I believe that I was well on my way about a year ago, but I believe that it is 100% there now. And why? Because I am now surrounded even more - day-in and day-out - by people who also have an attitude worth catching!

I can't wait to watch this highly-contagious positive network grow! Will YOU be the next person I meet (face-to-face OR virtually) with an Attitude worth Catching?! I hope so!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

I think my foot is healing. But I'm still not up to a 3 mile run, let alone the 16 miles I was supposed to conquer today.

I have "benched" myself.

I am hoping this "benching" is just temporarily, though. I am really tired of being injured all the time. "I am much too young to feel this damn old" (yeah, I know - Garth Brooks says - and sings - it better than me - enjoy the video).

I have made the executive decision to "just" do theSan Diego Rock 'n Roll 1/2 vs. the Full. The truth is that I would give almost anything to say "I've completed a full marathon." But the reality is that I want to keep on running for a long time after that Marathon. And if I don't start pulling it together and getting smarter with what running is doing to my body, I may not be able to. I feel as though the 1/2 may even be streneous on me, but I love it. My heart hurts for the day when I can't run anymore. So I'll take my time between now and June. I know that on any given day I can run a half marathon. I am not worried about that....and that makes me feel better!

While I was "benched" today, Ryan and I went for about an 11-12 mile bike ride. It was absolutely gorgeous out. We went on trails, and I really enjoyed every single minute of it! I guess at the end of the day, working out is working out. However I can be active, moving, happy and strong is all that really matters!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Don't think I'm crazy (and don't make fun of the sock - it's super comfortable)! I'm telling you - it's a magical "invention" that someone else created and I implemented for all injured runners!

And while we're on the topic, YES, I have a minor injury again. I'm frustrated and totally bummed. But even more than that, I'm just scared of failure. Now, I want more than anything to complete this marathon. And the only people that seem to "get" this are those who run - and run far!

I can't explain it. It's just something in me now.

And at the same time, I think I'm becoming smart enough to know when it's critical to just listen to my body. I'm at this stage. I fell short of one final 800 at 5K pace today. But I literally felt like the top of my foot was cracked. I stopped. I stopped in hopes that by Thursday (the next scheduled run) I might be better for my 7 mile run. If I'm not, I'll skip that one. And then I'll hope I'm better for my 6 mile run on Saturday. And again, if I'm not, I'll skip that one, too. I'm skipping it until this sharp pain goes away.

I've learned since my half marathon: A few days off prevents a few months off! If that happens again, it will absolutely kill me!

So until I heal, it's all about the Wine Chiller Ice Pack. And maybe I'll even have some wine with it! CHEERS!

I got little sleep last night. I laid awake thinking about the last 5 simple words our CEO, Chris Ruggieri, sent me via email last night:

Everything Starts at the Beginning

I kept thinking about what a simple and yet engaging and exciting idea that is! We are all so excited in life because of what we work so hard to produce as the outcome. We strive to be the best we can because we can't wait for success to turn tables.

Yet, reality is that it's the beginning and the middle that count the most. Sandra Bullock said it best in Hope Floats, "Beginnings are scary. Endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. And you need to remember that when you find yourself at the beginning."

Today those 5 simple words are still fresh in my mind, lingering there. But today I'm more excited about the beginning.

I'm excited about the ideas that are generated in the beginning, followed by the process of implementation in the middle and finally end up in pure success! (And if at first we don't succeed, we just re-invent until we get it right. But we appreciate, learn from and have a ton of fun doing it!)

Monday, March 8, 2010

This is the furthest distance I have ever run (2nd beind the Nike Women's Half Marathon). This was an accomplishment for me.

Sometimes, though, accomplishments go without feeling 100%!

That is what my run looked like. I made great time (probably went too fast for a long run) and stayed fairly consistent (especially during the last half). I have great physical energy when I'm out there running that far. I feel like I could run forever. But my problem is that my legs and my feet get so achy and sore. The second I stop (at a stoplight or to tie my shoe) I feel like I'm going to fall apart.

By the time I was to mile 10 or 11, it took all the mental power I had to keep plugging through it. Part of my problem, too, is that I am in desperate need of new running shoes. I have trained way too long with my Nike+ LunarGlides because I love them. But it's time for a new pair!

In the end, I did it! And that's what I believe is so powerful about long-distance running. We train our minds to accept, to endure and to finish anything!

I am trying to research more and learn as much as I can about what to do "post-long runs." After this run, I drank a ton of water. And I had a cup of cafffeine, as I've read numerous times that caffeine helps with post-recovery. As soon as I got home, I iced my legs and I used the Lacrosse Ball. Later in the day, I went out and got myself a Pedicure at Jellyfish Spa in Danville, CA! It felt so great and refreshing. And my toes look splendid again, don't you think?

Before I went to bed, I iced more, and I did the Lacrosse ball all over my legs and feet. It was painful - very painful! It had to be done.

When I woke up this morning, I felt a little stiff and sore. But feeling this way reminded me that - I did it! I'm still alive and I'm just one step closer to completing my first Marathon. But first things first....mentally preparing for the 16 miles I have this upcoming weekend! Cheers!

Friday, March 5, 2010

It was another great week in the world of Sarah Kay Hoffman. Sometimes I feel like these "happy-go-lucky" blog posts need to STOP! Really, who cares if I'm happy-go-lucky, right? But then again...my goal here is not to boast - my goal is to spread my cheer. It's to spread what I hope will be even one small thing for someone else to say, "Wow, that made me smile."

I digress....

It was a great week for me. I feel so alive, so productive and so useful within Yolo Industries! I have waited a very, very long time to get to this point in my life. Now that I'm here, I'm working so hard to stay here, grow here and get "famously" successful here! The companyis growing at a rapid rate, and I feel that the success can be attributed mostly to the fact that everyone who works there is passionate about who we are!And that is something you cannot put a pricetag on!

I welcome each and every one of you to follow The Yolo Life Blog! Today we put up a posting, "Perfect for Your Spring Purse," and we are giving away a few goodies! Follow the blog and check it out!

In other news, I have a few more big things to look forward to this month:

Running: And a lot of it! (I am training for the Rock 'n Roll San Diego Marathon!) I will be completing a 14-mile run this upcoming Sunday. This will mark the furthest distance I have ever run! I am nervous and excited, but mostly excited! My long runs are getting up there in mileage. I like that - it's a great mental challenge for me!

Running:On Monday, March 22nd I will begin Ms. Ashley Kumlien's journey with her as she begins her 6-month trek across the United States! Ashley is running to raise awareness for MS, which her Mother battles. Ashely is amazing and inspiring. Though I was not able to go on a 2-month "tour" with her, I will see her off on an approximately 15-16 mile run in San Francisco (across the Golden Gate Bridge). IF you are in the Bay Area we would love to have you join us! Please post any comments if you think you might be able to come. I know Ashley would love to see them! In the meantime, you can check her out via: MSRuntheUS Website, Facebook Fan Page, Twitterand Flickr.

Social Media:On Monday, March 29th I will be speaking in Portland, OR at the social fresh Social Media Conference. I am absolutely thrilled to be doing this, not only to share my experiences, but also to meet some incredible people! Just to name a few:@gwenpeake with Ford, @skydiver (Peter Shankman) with HARO, @foomanpdx with Nike, @waynesutton with Twine Interactive, @cspenn with Blue Sky Factory, @mattsingley with M80, @shaunacausey with Comcast, @lorelleonwp with Lorelle on WordPress - and last, but not least - Mr. Social Fresh himself, @jakrose Jason Keath.(Side Note: These are just A FEW - there are so many I can't wait to meet!)

I'm hoping for a super productive and successful March! And I'm hoping that each and every one of you has the same:) CHEERS!

Who is Sarah Kay Hoffman?

I believe in constantly re-inventing myself. I am extremely passionate about Social Media and Marketing, and you can typically learn everything you want to know about me through my Social Media utters. I am on a lifelong journey to inspire, motivate and lead - hopefully all virtually, so that I can reach an infinite amount of people! My twitter bio states: just a country girl. with a digital addiction. zany, brainy & dancing to my own beat. A+ in fitness, coffee, wine and research. F- in patience. I am interested in meeting and working with those who share a similar passion for marketing, social media, strategy, community engagement (virtual and non-virtual), new technology, forward-thinking, sports, fitness, health and an overall passion for work, life and the balance of it all! Come: www.digitalmention.com where it's you, me and the Digital Mention by she.